Sir Mark Rowley defends officers over Golders Green knife attack arrest
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Apr 30
Sir Mark Rowley defends officers over Golders Green knife attack arrest
7 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Apr 30
Rowley criticised Green Party leader Zack Polanski after two officers Tasered and kicked a suspect while disarming him following the stabbing of two Jewish men in north London.
Police said the unarmed officers feared an explosive device, and body-camera footage showed repeated commands before the suspect, who allegedly kept hold of a knife, was subdued.
Essa Suleiman, 45, remains in custody on suspicion of attempted murder, and the Metropolitan Police has formally declared Wednesday's Golders Green attack a terrorist incident.
Were police justified in their forceful response, or does this incident highlight deeper issues in handling mentally disordered offenders?
Could earlier mental health intervention or better data-sharing have prevented the Golders Green attack and similar incidents?
How will the UK's increased terror threat level and new security funding directly impact Jewish community safety on the ground?